Issues: Issue 301 - January 2014
Review: PEP – My Baby and Me
Not sure if this is parody or homage, as My Baby and Me is clearly indebted to girl pop groups like The Ronettes and The Shangri-Las, but it brings absolutely nothing new or modern to add anything fresh to what those groups started. … read more
Review: Mt. Royal – Self-Titled
“More” has a certain Peter Bjorn and John feel and is a little more upbeat, though vocals stay in the shadows. “Yes Your Majesty” has great bass that travels over casual synth backings and lazy slide guitar. “Mockingbird” has nice acoustic strums over snappy, quick-paced drums—it reminds me of closing credits for a 007 movie. … read more
Review: Nausea – Condemned to the System
It’s a given that January is going to start with a lot of nausea, but this Nausea is a different kind. It’s the band of grindcore (not the crust punk band) legend Oscar Garcia, who did the vocals on Terrorizer’s World Downfall album. … read more
Review: New Model Army – Between Dog And Wolf
This would be perfect for the road trip to Burning Man, or for any fire performance, as it is packed with tribal drum beats, grungy guitar riffs and a pinch of spaghetti Western twang. The lyrics carry you away and make you think. … read more
Review: Mode Moderne – Occult Delight
For their third LP, Vancouver outfit Mode Moderne have embraced their goth pop style wholeheartedly and created their most confident album to date. … read more
Review: Mogwai – Rave Tapes
If I would have bet you 10 years ago that Mogwai would return to its synth explorations on 2003’s Happy Songs for Happy People and turn into a kinda boring post-rock band that locked itself into a relentless kraut groove, I would be $12.69 richer (adjusted for inflation). … read more
Review: Motörhead – Aftershock
In an age when most of the great classic hard rock bands are slowing down and approaching their twilight years, Motörhead keeps charging ahead, playing the hardest and truest rock n’ roll ever recorded. … read more
Review: Maggie McClure – Time Moves On
Filled to the brim with cutesy pop confessionals and whimsical, dreamy instrumentals, Maggie McClure masters the small-town-girl-meets-big-city vibe. … read more
Review: Magic Trick – River of Souls
Lead singer Tim Cohen croons in a cool, ’60s tinged way, complemented by an accompanying female voice, keeping it psychedelic, but not losing the driving bass and trumpet of the folk genre. River of Souls is definitely an album to keep loud and keep on repeat. … read more
Review: Marley Carroll – Sings
It’s similar to the chattering electronica of Caribou, with just a bit more sophistication. If you’ve been waiting for Caribou’s next release, I suggest giving Carrol’s new album a try. … read more